PR Training

A Holiday Guide to Gear That Can Improve Your Creative Content

Thanks to tech advancements, it doesn’t take millions of dollars to produce quality content — just ask Selena Gomez.

In October, the pop star released the video for her new song, “Lose You to Love Me.” The video probably didn’t seem any different to the casual observer. But behind the scenes, it represents a shift in the industry, and one that your creative team can learn from. Rather than using dozens of professional-grade cameras, the video was shot entirely on an iPhone.

Gomez isn’t the only one using everyday tech for high-level content. Last year, rock band Metric shot a video on an iPhone X. Earlier this year, “Star Wars” director Rian Johnson shot a short film on an iPhone. Even Steven Soderbergh, director of films like “Ocean’s Eleven” or “Magic Mike,” is shooting his new movies on iPhones.

Content is king, and if your team is used to producing videos, photos and more on a shoestring budget, now is the right time to stock up on products that can improve your work and earn better results.

If Selena Gomez or Steven Soderbergh can use everyday tech for their next big project, then your team can too, though you’ll still need a talented group to create the content itself.

This holiday season, here are some gear ideas that can help take your creative team’s content from amateur to professional quality — without burning through your entire budget — thanks to some shopping-season deals:

iPhones

We couldn’t sing the praises of all the new uses for the iPhone camera without including it on this list, could we?

Good iPhone deals are rare, so be sure to cash in on opportunities this holiday season for packages, discounts and gift-card offers that make picking up an iPhone a reasonable decision. And once you have it, here are some tips for creating good content with it.

Amazon and Google Smart Tech

Have a studio or workspace that could use a modern touch? Smart tech for the home is one of the quickest growing industries around, and you can use it to give your space a bit of an upgrade.

Check out Amazon Smart Home tech and Google Connected Home devices in the Black Friday and holiday-shopping ads this season for some great deals on tech that used to be futuristic, but now represents a helpful addition to your studio.

Adobe Creative Cloud

Adobe’s Creative Suite has always been a crucial tool for creatives, and from Photoshop to Premiere, their software can be crucial in producing high-quality content for your team.

Every year around the holidays, you can find the Adobe Creative Cloud on sale. Most of the year, Adobe doesn’t offer discounts on such in-demand products, so even a 10 or 20 percent deal is worth snapping up. Whether you grab a deal on a subscription or manage to secure a cheaper copy of one of their programs, upgrading your Adobe suite can be an excellent addition to any content team.

Nikon Camera Equipment

At MediaSource, our creative team loves Nikon cameras, and this holiday season is a great time to find them on a budget. Sites like Amazon have a variety of cameras and lenses at majorly discounted rates, and brick-and-mortar locations have plenty of deals of their own. No matter what end of the spectrum you’re shopping for, camera deals are plentiful at this time of year.

While your iPhone might be good for basic video and editing, taking high-quality photos with a Nikon camera or other professional-grade equipment can make a big difference.

Noise-canceling headphones

Whether you need to focus on your project in a loud Starbucks or need the best audio quality for an editing project, a good pair of noise-canceling headphones will be your best friend. Between flash sales, Black Friday and Cyber Monday, you’ll easily be able to find a deal on the right pair for your needs.

Sony and Beats both offer fantastic options for noise-cancelation and quality, and you can upgrade your creative team’s audio equipment with either option.

Apple MacBook Pro

It’s been the case for a while, and it’s still true: the MacBook Pro is still the ultimate tool for the creative on the go.

Like many Apple products, deals on MacBooks are a little harder to find than some brands. But retailers and websites tend to package them with other items for sales that make them more affordable. If you don’t have a go-to computer for all your creative needs, the investment is more than worthwhile.

For your other creative needs…

If you already know what you need, Adorama is our creative team’s go-to site for video, audio, photography equipment and more. Check out their Black Friday deals and round out the rest of your creative team’s shopping list. Upgrading your team’s equipment will be the gift that keeps on giving!

And remember: good gear isn’t a replacement for a quality team. Even if you have the greatest tech, you’ll still need a talented and experienced creative team to put it all together. Invest in your people even more than you invest in your equipment!


Lisa Arledge Powell is president of MediaSource, an award-winning communications agency that specializes in video production, public relations, social media and strategic insights, constantly securing national exposure for major brands. Connect with Lisa on Twitter: @LisaArledge

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Lisa Arledge Powell

1 Comment

  • What a relevant and timely article! As PR professionals, it is immensely important to stay up to date on all the latest trends within the technology sphere. The tools that you have highlighted are those that we can take advantage of in order to produce quality content for our clients at a moments notice. – Louise Margeson, writer/editor for Platform Magazine

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